Palestinians join hunger strike for Samer Issawi

Israeli prison service police surround Palestinian prisoner Samer al-Issawi, wearing handcuffs and leg-cuffs as he is brought in a wheelchair to a court room at the Magistrate's Court in Jerusalem, Israel, 19 February 2013. EPA/JIM HOLLANDER

An Israeli court denied bail for a Palestinian prisoner after calling for an emergency hearing to consider his case. The decision comes amid a 24-hour hunger strike in solidarity with Issawi and other hunger strikers held by at least 800 Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.

Issawi has been refusing food for more than 200 days and his health has deteriorated rapidly since he began to refuse water. Under Israeli military policy a prisoner may be held indefinitely without trial or charge. The United Nations has called on Israel to end this policy, known as administrative detention, and immediately release or charge detainees.

Issawi's next court appearance is not due until mid-March. According to the Free Samer Issawi Campaign, his mother collapsed in court when she heard the court would not release her son.

This photo from Active Stills shows a relative of Issawi shouting outside the court in Jerusalem.

Photo: Relative of Samer Issawi shouts as SamerFacebook

Protests in solidarity with Issawi erupted across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, with reports of 1,000 or more demonstrators in the West Bank cities of Nablus and Hebron. There were reports of injuries from police tear gas and rubber-coated bullets outside Israel's Ofer Prison.

Large amounts of tear gas as border police try to make arrests at #Ofer prison.ISM Palestine

@AymanM Shalit Deal terms stated that if released prisoners go back to violence they will be re-arrested & serve the rest of their sentenceOfir Gendelman

Issawi was released as part of the 2011 prisoner exchange deal for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. He was re-arrested after allegations that he violated the terms of his release by traveling outside of Jerusalem.

My health has deteriorated dramatically and I’m hanging between life and death. My weak body is collapsing but still able to be patient and continue the confrontation.alternativenews.org

My battle is not only for individual freedom. The battle waged by me and by my heroic colleagues, Tariq, Ayman and Ja’affar, is everyone's battle, the battle of the Palestinian people against the occupation and its prisons. Our goal is to be free and sovereign in our liberated state and in our blessed Jerusalem.alternativenews.org